Hi all, I haven't grew garlic until this now so don't really know when to lift. I've read you can lift June/July but when is it too early. The thing is mine has showed some signs of leaf yellowing but nothing major, however I have come out today to find the majority are flat to the ground. My wife said it would be a cat has sat on it haha! Would have to be a very big cat! You can see on some plantings that there are some good sized bulbs poking through. Is anyone else thinking of lifting now, I know this season seems to be a bit ahead of itself, even my autumn rasps are in flower!

Hi all, I've got some cracking courgette an marrow plants growing and are now in cold frames. When would people say it's safe to plant outside in the beds? This winter/spring has got me puzzled! (I'm up north btw)

its true about the garlic yes. Garlic is a natural pesticide and can also be used to treat aphid infestations by infusing it into water (steep crushed cloves in hot water). Spray the solution (now cold) on areas of infestation.

The wool pellets are very good and harmless to pets try those. The other more expensive but highly effective control is using nematodes just water them in over the ground and it will sort the problem. However to be fully effective you need to treat the area every 6-12wks throughout the season

My carrots have been a bit of a miss up to now. Not for lack of germination but on closer inspection they had been continuously mown of seedling leaves and left as stalks even before emerging through the soil surface. Pesky slugs have been munching undercover.

generally over winter you can grow a variety of winter salad leaves, also some carrots but they wont be ready till early spring. You can also grow pak choi if you transplant some late sowings under cover in autumn.